Still Whistling: The Only Sane Response to a Complicated World
by Brent Olson
Published by Kirk House Publishers
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Reviewed by Connie Anderson
Still Whistling is 165 pages of down-home recollections.
Brent Olson, as it says in the preface, is a farmer and columnist. He finds joy in the remarkably unremarkable daily life in his small town.
Just because a life is small does not mean it is insignificant, the author writes, and he shows that in every one of his 50 short stories.
This was my favorite thought that applies, whether you live on a farm, or in a small town, suburban home or a high rise.
"I sometimes drown in the moment, instead of living in the moment. It's important to enjoy the spring. There's only one each year, and we all have only a limited number of springs to enjoy. You can take time to smell the flowers, even if it's a quick sniff...."
As a farm girl, I was touched by his attention to detail, how he captured the laid-back emotions farmers have to have about the seasons, birth and death, children, wives (and their dogs), etc.--and oh, yes about their children's car problems.
It took me forever to read Olson's stories because I kept stopping so often to read some section out loud to anyone who would listen. Olson tells good stories about family and making a living that most certainly would hit home with farmers and former farmers.
But I feel that people who like reading about other people's lives will enjoy Olson's observation--and laugh along with him as he makes funny and serious points about life.
Armchair Interviews says: A good little gift book for someone who likes good writing, good storytelling and good stories.